When Simply Business asked more than 1,000 small business owners, “If you could give your younger self advice on starting a business, what would it be?” — the answers were both honest and inspiring.
Their reflections came as part of The Power of One: 2025 Solopreneur Report, a nationwide study exploring the motivations, realities, and aspirations that define their solopreneur journeys.
More than half said they started their business driven by passion — not just profit. Yet that same passion often collided with hard realities. Over 60% underestimated how difficult it would be to juggle every role themselves.
Still, the vast majority remain optimistic — over three-quarters believe their business will grow this year. And their advice to new entrepreneurs reflects both that optimism and hard-earned wisdom.
Here’s what they’d tell their younger selves if they could go back.
Trust Your Gut
For many entrepreneurs, intuition is their compass.
Gianni Spradley, founder and CEO of Fifteen East Media Group, remembers the skepticism she faced when she started her PR and marketing firm in 2017. “What if I had let that fear get in the way? I tell people this over and over, go with your gut, because your gut never lies.”
With over two decades of experience working with brands from Louis Vuitton to Broadway productions, Gianni has learned that instinct isn’t the opposite of strategy — it’s part of it.
“As an entrepreneur, you’re a visionary,” she says. “But 9 times out of 10, other people are not going to see that. And that’s okay. Trust your gut.”
Get Funding
For many solopreneurs, the early years test their financial resilience. Nearly half of those surveyed in our report have gone without income for over a month, and 68% have less than six months of savings.
Karen McDougald, founder of Tangaza Bath & Body Studio in North Carolina, learned that lesson the hard way. “I would tell my younger self to get funding,” she says. “I wouldn’t have used my own retirement funds.”
What began as a hobby making skincare for her daughter turned into a thriving business, but her early years were a financial struggle. “There’s value in investing in yourself,” she adds, “but I wish I’d known more about small business loans and grants. There are so many programs — SBA loans, community development funds — you just have to put yourself in the right spaces to learn about them.”
Her advice is simple but powerful: Believe in your idea enough to seek financial help.
Keep the Faith
Building a small business means navigating setbacks.
For Payton Tobey, founder of Alchemy Aesthetics in Maine, that meant tuning out the noise. “Don’t lose sight of who you are and why you wanted to create your business” she says. “It’s really easy to get discouraged and think, ‘This day is a little bit slower, so that means I’m going to fail.’ Stay positive, and keep pushing through.”
That confidence for Payton is what separates persistence from burnout.
Hone Your Skills
Confidence is key, but so is competence.
Brandon Johnson, owner of Radiant Glass and Repair in Illinois, keeps it simple: “Make sure your skills are on point before you do anything. You don’t want to get out there too soon and make mistakes that cost you your reputation.”
Brandon’s advice cuts to the heart of that reality: Before marketing yourself, master your craft. Excellence builds trust, and trust builds momentum.
Don’t Let Perfectionism Hold You Back
Honing your craft matters, but so does knowing when to stop polishing.
Kimberly Savel-Turek, founder of Room to Breathe Professional Organizing in Maryland, admits that her biggest initial hurdle wasn’t clutter, it was perfectionism. “I wanted everything to be perfect — the website, the emails, the replies,” she says. “It held me back. I was frozen.”
She eventually learned that action beats perfection. “Put yourself out there and people will come.”
Be Bold (Even if You’re Shy)
Visibility doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but being seen is part of being in business.
Tori Marinucci, owner of Elkins’ Grimoire, a handcrafted candle company, knows this well. “In the beginning, I was shy about showing off my work,” she says. “I thought being quiet was humble. But being proud of what you’ve built isn’t boasting — it’s advocating for yourself.”
Now Tori encourages new founders to show up fully. “Engage with people. Ask for help. You’re not alone.”
Know Your Worth
Many founders start by undercharging, especially when they’re still building confidence.
Lacey Piekarz, founder of Peak Composition, a proposal writing business in Colorado, learned to value her expertise. “Always charge a little more than you think,” she says. “And don’t be afraid of hearing no.”
Her advice echoes a quiet truth among solopreneurs: Valuing yourself sets the tone for how clients value you.
Stay Passionate
Passion may be what starts a business, but it’s also what keeps it thriving.
For Nicole Mills, founder of Green Lavender Cleaning in Massachusetts, that passion comes from caring for people and our planet. “My long-standing passion for helping people and the environment truly inspired my business,” she says.
She uses non-toxic, biodegradable products to make homes sparkle without harsh chemicals. “If I can make a difference for 50 clients,” she says, “that’s impact.”
Her story embodies what drives most solopreneurs: purpose paired with perseverance.
Appreciate What You’ve Built
Amid all the hustle, it’s easy to forget how far you’ve come.
Jef Lippiatt, founder of Bunker83, an independent board-game publisher, compares entrepreneurship to building with blocks. “Every day you lay down a few — some days five, some days fifteen. Other days, you pull a few off because they weren’t level,” he says. “But step back once in a while and appreciate what you’ve built.”
For Jef, that perspective is what keeps the work rewarding. “Stay teachable, stay humble, but take pride in what you’ve accomplished.”
Looking Back and Moving Forward
The founders featured here come from different industries and walks of life, but their advice shares one thread: resilience. Whether it’s trusting your gut, charging your worth, or letting go of perfectionism, their stories remind us that success isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about showing up, learning, and building one brick at a time.